Young 'uns look good against Georgia State

By Chris Stewart

A week ago, we talked about how Mark Gottfried’s Alabama men’s basketball team was a “work in progress”. It was nice to see that after a week of hard work…. progress is truly being made.

With a full week of rest for Ronald Steele’s aching back, a full week of working with the first team for freshman Brandon Hollinger, a full week of final exams, and full week of manhood-challenging practices, the Tide rolled up an impressive performance against Georgia State. An 85-58 victory was not unexpected, but a welcome sight nonetheless. This team needed this type of win - solid play against a solid (if not spectacular) team.

Chuck Davis was spectacular. First of all, he graduated that morning after just three and a half years of class time. He then went out that night and scored 22 points, pulled in seven rebounds, and swatted six blocked shots.

Although a graduate led the way, three freshmen were major bright spots - and each found their way into the spotlight differently. Alonzo Gee had the best game of his young career. The Palm Beach, Florida native earned his second start and certainly made the most of it, scoring 19 points in just 29 minutes of playing time. The athletic wing player was 7-of-12 from the field, including a couple of three-point baskets.

Gee also grabbed five rebounds, dished out two assists, and recorded a couple of steals. For his efforts, he was named the Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week.

His three-point range, combined with his ability to take a defender off the dribble, makes him a serious threat offensively. Yet it may be on the defensive end where is presence has been most noticeable.

In several games so far, his quickness and intensity have provided a spark that is lacking with this squad. Other players feed off that. He’s done a great job of getting in passing lanes and getting a either a deflection or an outright steal, resulting in points on the other end of the floor.

Look for his per game averages of 7.9 points and 3.0 rebounds to increase in the coming weeks.

While his numbers weren’t as impressive, another freshman was widely praised following the Georgia State game. Brandon Hollinger was the Class 6A player of the year last season at of LeFlore High School in Mobile. His playing time had been limited through the first seven games, but in the last two outings both his minutes and his production have increased.

In the loss to Temple, Hollinger came off the bench when Steele got in foul trouble early. He promptly made a three and did a nice job of running the Bama half court offense. Against Georgia State he played a career high 20 minutes, hit two more treys, and used his speed and quickness to help pick up the pace on defense.

If he can protect the basketball consistently, continue the defensive pressure, and make an occasional basket, he will be given more opportunities to spell Steele at the point – or share time with him on the floor.

The other freshman seeing playing time (since Yamene Coleman appears to be a lock for a redshirt season) was almost an afterthought to some against Georgia State. Yet, Richard Hendrix continues to put up solid numbers, recording seven points, eight rebounds, and three blocks in 20 minutes of work.

Some may expect even bigger numbers from a Parade All-American. Not only are those are unfair expectations, they don’t come close to pointing out his true value to the team. When you can give Davis or Jermareo Davidson a breather, and bring that type of production off the bench, it’s only going to make them more effective – especially over the course of a long season.

Add to the fact that Steele and fellow starter Justin Jonus are only sophomores, and you have more than half of your nine-man rotation from your bottom two classes

Finals may have been last week, but another big test awaits Thursday night when North Carolina State comes in for an 8 p.m. tip. Hopefully the “kids” can stay up for the late start.
 

Chris Stewart is the pre and post game host for the Crimson Tide Sports Network's coverage of Alabama Football. In addition, he hosts a talk show each weekday morning from 7 until 9 on Tuscaloosa's Sports Radio 1420, The Tusk. Stewart is also the radio play-by-play announcer for University of Alabama men's basketball.   Bama Fever is a company devoted to providing University of Alabama Crimson Tide merchandise. We have stores in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa  and Huntsville and have now created an online catalog for Crimson Tide fans all over the world searching for that hard to find merchandise. We carry over 7,000 items in our stores and have posted many of these items right here in our online catalog.

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Read all of Chris's 2005 Game Recaps